On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans made their voices heard for a healthy, sustainable world and the modern environmental movement was born. Celebrate by communing with nature online. Some of the most beautiful gardens and parks are offering virtual tours and live streaming, including Huntington Botanical Gardens, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, and Theodore Payne Foundation. Google Earth has breathtaking virtual tours of 31 National Parks in the U.S. You can even watch live animal cams and get a glimpse of Aurora Borealis Northern Lights, all from the comfort of home.
Locate and learn about thousands of flowers, plants, and trees in over 120 acres of stunning gardens with The Huntington Botanical Gardens virtual tours. Explore the Rose Garden, Chinese Garden, Camellia Collections, Japanese Garden, Conservatory, Dinosaur Plants, Mediterranean Plants, and Children’s Tour. Each tour is chock full of gorgeous photos, detailed docent narratives, maps and site plans.
Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through May, with a variety of wildflowers creating a mosaic of color that changes daily. Encompassing more than 1,700 acres, poppy blooms carpet the property’s undulating hills, and the reserve has captured its peak via live camera so you can enjoy the flower show at home!
Theodore Payne Foundation’s Native Plant Garden Tour is a two-day festival featuring tours of some of the most beautiful gardens in the greater Los Angeles area. This year the festival has gone digital! Through videos and photography, the foundation has captured the season in all its glory and uploaded the content for everyone to enjoy. Virtually visit 42 gardens, including strolls through the landscapes of private homes in Santa Monica, Del Rey, Long Beach and more.
You don’t have to travel very far to enjoy the benefits of some animal observation. Watch giant pandas, bears, puppies, otters, jellyfish, giraffes, and other critters frolicking on animal cams from major zoos and wildlife parks. Check out these 10 live cams.
Welcome to nature’s most amazing light show. Located at the Churchill Northern Studies Center in Churchill, Manitoba, this live cam is located directly underneath the aurora oval – one of the best places on earth to watch the aurora borealis, the spectacular atmospheric phenomenon better known as the Northern Lights. Late winter and early spring are the best times for the aurora, so be sure to stop in now.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: National Zoo, Washington DC
Photo #2: Huntington Botanical Gardens
Photo #3: Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve (Courtesy of California State Parks, 2019)
The Culture Beat goes on! Major arts organizations, including LA Phil, LA Opera, The Met, Hammer Museum, and The Broad, are offering free live streaming and access to their digital archives! Ordinarily, you might have to pay a hefty fee for some of these services, but in the spirit of healing through art, these institutions are throwing open their virtual doors and sharing their treasures with the world. In these unprecedented times, please consider making a donation to your favorite arts organization to keep our culture beat alive and thriving!
Opera is bigger than just a stage – that’s why LA Opera is bringing it directly into your home. Enjoy all kinds of opera from the comfort of your couch, regardless of your previous experience or knowledge of opera. Whether it’s live Living Room Recitals, broadcasts of old performances, or how-to’s with some of your favorite artists, there are a ton of ways you can #LAOAtHome.
Gustavo Dudamel has partnered with KUSC in Los Angeles and KDFC in San Francisco on a new radio show that he’s recording in his home. Tune in Tuesday-Friday at 6pm and Sunday at 7pm to hear Gustavo Dudamel’s broadcast on KUSC and KDFC, both on the air and online. You can also explore LA Phil’s archives online including videos, music, podcasts, interviews, and more.
The Berlin Philharmonie is closed for now, so they will come to you. The Digital Concert Hall is now free for everyone. Redeem the voucher code BERLINPHIL and receive free access to all concerts and films. The Philharmonie Berlin has been the musical heart of Berlin since 1963. Located at the periphery of West Berlin when it opened, it became part of the new urban center after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The distinctive tent-like shape and eye-catching bright yellow color makes it one of the city’s most beloved landmarks. The unusual architecture and innovative concert hall design initially ignited controversy, but it now serves as a model for concert halls all over the world.
During this extraordinary time, the Met hopes to brighten the lives of their audience members even while their stage is dark. The Metropolitan Opera is offering free Nightly Opera Streams on their website – performances that show off opera at its most thrilling, thought-provoking, and uplifting. Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is available for free streaming, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day. The schedule will include outstanding complete performances from the past 14 years of cinema transmissions, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.
Geffen Stayhouse, presented by the Geffen Playhouse, is sharing exclusive, original content every Wednesday from some of their wonderful Geffen alumns and favorite theater artists. You can also watch full-length productions of Geffen Playhouse shows on BroadwayHD, including Long Day’s Journey Into Night, featuring Alfred Molina and Jane Kaczmarek; Thom Pain, featuring Rainn Wilson (The Office); and Benjamin Scheuer’s The Lion. And as a special treat, Benjamin is presenting an exclusive performance of “Weather the Storm” from The Lion all the way from Wales, UK, where he’s hunkering down with his family.
Art has the power to transport us and to give insight into pressing cultural, political, and social questions. The Hammer’s lectures, symposia, film series, readings, and performances aim to spark meaningful encounters with art and ideas. Many of these programs were recorded and you’ll find selected highlights on their website. Find more on their YouTube channel. You can also watch interviews with Hammer artists.
While The Broad may be temporarily closed, they’re still committed to inspiring and fostering an appreciation of contemporary art. Through their new digital initiatives, they are offering ways to experience #TheBroadFromHome. Find inspiration through music, videos, poetry, and conversations (from a distance!). Check out the Infinite Drone Series, a new, contemplative way of experiencing The Broad’s most popular artwork, Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away.
The GRAMMY Museum Exhibits at Home and Programs at Home allow you to access exhibits and watch conversations with musicians and industry professionals from their archives. The GRAMMY Museum seeks to educate and inspire all Museum visitors and members as to the enduring qualities and cultural significance of all genres of music.
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s LACO AT HOME allows people everywhere to engage and listen to spellbinding performances with “America’s finest chamber orchestra” — no subscription, sign-up, or payment required. We may not be able to gather together to share music in person, but current circumstances will not prevent LACO from providing you with exquisite, enduring, personal musical experiences. LACO is happy to announce that their musicians have generously volunteered to share a wide variety of audio and video options during this time. All broadcasts can be live-streamed and streamed on-demand.
Step up to the plate! Your favorite DTLA restaurants and bars are now offering home delivery and curbside pick-up. From your breakfast coffee to a luscious lunch, delicious dinner, and even wine, beer and cocktails – they’ve got you covered! Many LA restaurants and bars are also stepping up to the plate by providing benefits for their staff during these challenging times. Please support your local eateries and drinking establishments, and consider buying gift cards for friends and family as well.
Both Bestia and Bavel are offering takeout family-style menus so that they can continue to provide health insurance benefits for their staff. Chef Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis will be creating new menus weekly, specifically meant to be enjoyed at home. Prepaid orders will be available for curbside pick up 3-8pm Wednesday through Sunday. Bestia is a multi-regional rustic Italian restaurant focusing on a “from scratch” approach, offering house-made charcuterie, in addition to handmade pastas and pizza made in an Acunto oven. On the pastry side, Gergis’ desserts focus on a clean and simple approach to create a daily changing menu that is centered on the freshest, most local ingredients possible.
Located in Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District, Bavel is a Middle Eastern restaurant from Bestia’s Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. With family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, Ori and Genevieve always wanted to open a restaurant that showcases the cuisines of their family lineages, bringing together the flavors and dishes they grew up with. The name Bavel stems from the story of Babel, from the original Old Testament. The story of Bavel is from a time when the Middle East was one. The people of Babylon came together to build a tower to heaven, but God didn’t want the tower to succeed. He gave the people different languages so they could no longer communicate and work together. When Ori and Genevieve read this story, the word Bavel resonated with them, because it was written during a time when everything was one.
Zinc Cafe & Market is offering take-out and delivery services. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner are available, and their marketplace has an abundance of prepared foods such as salads, entrees, appetizers and desserts to enjoy at home. Please call the store to place a take-out order or use the EZ Cater link to order family size meals for delivery!
Stock up on staples at Go Get Em Tiger, sister shop to G&B Coffee. Go Get Em Tiger has defined itself naturally by the way in which coffee, food, and community intersect fluidly. They are offering take-out and delivery of coffee and pantry items such as Clover Whole Milk, Oatly Oat Milk, ranch farm eggs, a variety of rice and dried beans, breads, granola and more.
DTLA’s Red Herring is offering takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery from 11am to 9pm daily. Founded by husband and wife team Chef Dave Woodall and Alexis Martin Woodall, Red Herring offers Refined New American cuisine with global influences. They are currently accepting phone orders at 213-375-3290. Food delivery app services are still underway, but they recommend checking their Instagram page for more info.
Faith & Flower is a contemporary Los Angeles restaurant located in the Watermarke Tower in DTLA’s South Park district. The restaurant’s name pays homage to the two major Renaissance periods – the 1920s and modern day – that have fundamentally shaped the Downtown Los Angeles community. “Flower” refers to the street on which the restaurant lies today, and “Faith” for the street’s alleged name during the early 1920s. Inspired by a global influence of flavors and techniques, complemented by the use of a wood-fired oven and pristine raw bar, the menu redefines Californian rustic cuisine. Brunch, lunch & dinner menu items are available for delivery and pick up. Call 213-239-0642 or email info@faithandflowerla.com
Barcito is an entrepreneur-owned and operated Argentine-style bar & eatery offering small plates and cocktails, located on the corner of 12th & Grand in Downtown LA’s South Park just 3 blocks from Staples Center. Barcito is currently open for takeout/delivery, offering full menu, pantry goods, natural wine, and craft beer.
Get your comfort food fix from The Pie Hole – delivered right to your door! Just place your order on their website or with one of their delivery partners to claim your sweet deal. Curbside handoff is available at the Arts District and Hollywood locations. The Pie Hole bakes sweet and savory pies from scratch, by hand, using only the highest quality ingredients. Pie is served by the slice, individual sized savory pies, and whole pies to order, along with their signature, specialty coffee program.
LA Cafe offers all day and all night delivery in Downtown LA. Call (213) 612-3000, or order online. LA Cafe strives to give you the freshest and best experience for your health and enjoyment. They use organic ingredients whenever possible, and all natural meats, roasted in-house. Soups, sauces and salad dressings are made from scratch. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
Here and Now is offering food, beer and wine delivery through their partners at Postmates. Voted one of the Best Bars in America in 2019 by Esquire magazine, Here and Now is a lively eatery and bar with train-style booths, swank travel-inspired drinks, and a playful small plates menu. Click HERE to order directly through their point-of-sale for pickup and delivery.
Staying in doesn’t mean you can’t get your culture fix! Thanks to Google Street View and the Google Arts & Culture site, you can virtually visit some of the world’s greatest museums from your cozy couch or favorite chair. Google Arts & Culture is an online platform through which the public can access high-resolution images of artworks housed in the initiative’s partner museums. In all, Google Arts & Culture has compiled over 500 virtual tours of museums around the world. HEREare 10 top museums you can explore right now. More exciting news – the Hollyhock House in LA’s Barnsdall Art Park and the Louvre in Paris offer online tours on their websites. So curl up, treat yourself to a nice beverage, and visit the some of the world’s greatest museums in the comfort of your own home!
To access your virtual tours, tap or click on each museum’s name which appears in bold below.
The newly renovated Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, Hollyhock House, was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This virtual tour explores the building’s exterior and interior, with pop up notes and optional audio narration by a docent. The virtual tour was originally developed as a Virtual Accessibility Experience (VAE) to increase access to the monument, and to create immersive and inclusive experiences for visitors of all abilities.
Visit the museum’s exhibition rooms and galleries and contemplate the façades of the Louvre. Come along on a virtual tour and enjoy the view from the comfort of your own home.
Once a Beaux-Arts railway station on the bank of the Seine, the Musée d’Orsay is now one of the largest art museums in Europe. Take a virtual tour of the impressive Art Nouveau building and admire a vast array of French art from 1848 to 1914, including masterpieces by Monet, Cézanne and Gauguin.
The unique corkscrew design of New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum means that visitors can journey up its spiraling ramp and view its collection of art in one continuous, unbroken journey. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building is home to a constantly expanding collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modern and Contemporary Art.
Berlin’s famous cultural hub, Museum Island, is where you’ll find the Pergamon Museum, one of Germany’s largest museums. Explore the ruins of ancient monumental buildings excavated from around the world, such as the Pergamon Altar (where the museum got its name), the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, and the Market Gate of Miletus.
The Uffizi Gallery is the legacy of the collection of Florence’s Medici ruling house. The U-shaped building contains works by Renaissance Old Masters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo, Botticelli, and Titian. The building was originally constructed to house the administrative and judiciary offices – uffizi means offices in Italian.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in the world. The permanent collection includes over 200 paintings by Vincent van Gogh, 500 drawings and more than 750 letters. The museum also presents exhibitions on various subjects from 19th-century art history.
The J. Paul Getty Museum provides a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and stunning views of Los Angeles for its art collection. It houses works dating from the 8th through the 21st century, including European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and European, American and Asian photographs.
Since opening its door in 1969, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) has established itself as a representative institution of Korean modern art. The museum’s four branches carry out MMCA’s commitment to the art and culture of Korea by enriching the first-hand cultural experience of the viewing public. Through its various locations, MMCA intends to function as a cultural platform that encourages communication and cross-pollination of contemporary art with other various disciplines of art, science, and humanities.
Explore this museum and you’ll find at its center at huge pond underneath a vast square concrete structure supported by a single pillar known as el paraguas, or the umbrella. Around this are 23 exhibit rooms displaying treasures, including Mayan civilization artifacts such as the Stone of the Sun and giant stone heads that were found in the jungles of Tabasco and Veracruz.
This architectural landmark in São Paulo was designed by Lina Bo Bardi and is Brazil’s first modern museum. The floating design is mirrored in its internal art displays, with its collection of artworks suspended in perspex frames that create the illusion that the canvases are hovering above the ground.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Musée du Louvre
Photo #2: Hollyhock House
Photo #3: Musée du Louvre
Photo #4: Musée d’Orsay
Photo #5: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Photo #6: Pergamon Museum
Photo #7: Uffizi Gallery
Photo #8: Van Gogh Museum
Photo #9: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Photo #10: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
Photo #11: National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
According to ancient tradition, the expression March Madness referred to the erratic, tempestuous weather of the season, and the phenomenon of hares getting frisky in the spring. Lewis Carroll nods to this bunny cliché with his characters the Mad Hatter and the March Hare! It wasn’t until 1939 that March Madness became associated with mens basketball. Today, March marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time, the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring and St. Patrick’s Day – one of the biggest party days of the year in Los Angeles! There’s plenty of March Madness in store for you – with LA’s best food fairs, festivals, and St. Paddy’s Day bashes!
Mar 14 Grab your shillelagh and get ready for some green beer! The Get Lucky Festival, DTLA’s largest St. Patrick’s Day party, is back! Luck is in the air with beer, food, multiple bars, games & prizes, live music, and more!
Mar 14 & 15 St. Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest party days of the year in Los Angeles! Dress in green, rally up a group of friends and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with hundreds of others bouncing from bar to bar for the annual St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl, with access and drink discounts at over 10 different venues. Your St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl kit includes drink coupons, free welcome shot vouchers and a map of all participating Downtown LA bars and nightclubs. Check-in any time from 2 pm to 6 pm at the massive LA Biergarten, with 100 beers on tap, and enjoy a free welcome shot.
PaleyFest 2020Dolby Theatre 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028
Mar 13-22 PaleyFest is the premier television festival in the country – a must-attend entertainment event produced by The Paley Center for Media that brings you together with the talent behind your favorite TV shows. Join in at the world-renowned Dolby Theatre, as the hottest stars delight fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes scoops, hilarious anecdotes, and breaking news stories. Enjoy a screening followed by a discussion with your favorite stars live onstage, capped off by a Q & A with the audience. Named for William S. Paley, founder of CBS and The Paley Center for Media, proceeds from PaleyFest support his mission to serve as a nonprofit cultural and educational resource in television, radio, and new media.
Mar 19 & 20 Sample a menu of delectable culinary tastings inspired by Bravo’s hit series Top Chef that will hit the spot for any craving. Enjoy a wide selection of fine wines, craft beers and cocktails specially curated for the festival. Experience a live Quickfire Challenge featuring Top Chef Cheftestants from Season 17 – All Stars LA as they whip up all-new unexpected dishes and gather for a special panel featuring Top Chef Alums as they dish on the making of the show, their favorite foods, and why they cook to live and live to cook. Snap a photo at iconic Top Chef-themed photo ops located throughout the event and shop for exclusive Top Chef branded merchandise from chef aprons to tote bags.
Whiskey FestivalCalifornia Science Center 700 Exposition Park Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90037
Mar 26 Take a deep dive into the world of whiskey at Los Angeles magazine’s annual Whiskey Festival. Meet master distillers, sip the finest spirits, learn fresh cocktail recipes and experience new brands as you enjoy hors d’oeuvres, live music and unique experiences that will complement the bespoke tasting atmosphere.
Latin Food FestLos Angeles State Historic Park 1245 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Mar 28 Spice up your weekend at the 8th annual Latin Food Fest, the West Coast’s ultimate Latin culinary extraganza. Your ticket includes all food, beer, wine, spirits, music performance, michelada and margarita tastings, contests, chef throwdown and awards, and cooking demos by cele chefs y mas!
First FridaysNatural History Museum 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007
The Future is Now! First Fridays is back, so get ready for an awesome night ahead! Engage in dynamic and timely discussions, enjoy a craft cocktail with dinosaurs, dance to live music and DJs in the mammal halls, wander through exciting exhibitions after-hours — including Natural History of Horrors — and so much more! Performances include Wajatta (featuring Reggie Watts and John Tejada), French Vanilla, and Café Molly. Resident DJ Novena Carmel is joined by Guest DJ Josh Peace in the DJ Lounge.
LA Beer Fest LA Center Studios 450 S Bixel St. Los Angeles, CA 90017
Apr 4 Mark your calendar for LA Beer Fest, LA’s largest craft beer festival, featuring over 80 breweries, food trucks, live music and much more! The 12th annual LA Beer Festival follows last year’s sold out event, and this year’s promises to be even better. The event will feature dozens of international and domestic beers, over a dozen food trucks (food sold separately), as well as live entertainment. Admission is for only one session, so make sure to coordinate with friends before buying your ticket. You GA tickets include unlimited beer tastings with food sold separately.
Masters of TasteRose Bowl Stadium 1001 Rose Bowl Dr. Pasadena, CA 91103
Apr 5 Masters of Taste is a premier food and beverage festival on the field of the iconic Rose Bowl. This year, the 5th Anniversary event features Vanda Asapahu from Ayara Thai Cuisine as Host Chef. Join over 2,500 food and beverage enthusiasts and walk the Rose Bowl field while enjoying delicious, unlimited tastings from LA’s top Master Chefs and restaurants, craft cocktail bars, wineries and local breweries. Enjoy lifestyle activations, live entertainment and much more. 100% of event proceeds benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) organization.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Latin Food Fest
Photo #2: Get Lucky Festival
Photo #3: St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl & Beer Garden
Spring is in the air! Time to spruce up your space with a fresh new look! One of the top 2020 Home Decor Trends is eye-popping color– such as Pantone’s Color of the Year – Classic Blue.
A solid dependable hue we can always rely on, Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation, as well as boundless color evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky.
My Design Agendashowcases some of the hottest interior design trends from Maison et Objet Paris 2020. Sleek modern styles continue to prevail, articulated with gold and silver metallic accents, and sculptural lighting. Other major trends include minimalist Scandinavian influences, curved shapes, plush velvets, vintage pieces, raw materials such as rattan and reclaimed wood, and lots of texture. Watch for warm pastels; soft neutrals, earth and organic tones; rich saturated blues, greens, and grays; bold monochromatics; and black and white color stories.
Whatever your decoration goals, DTLA is the ultimate destination for the best Interior Design Trends of 2020!
A + R Row DTLA 777 S Alameda St #100 Los Angeles, CA 90021
A+R stands for Andy and Rose: British ex-pat Andy Griffith, a former film editor and self-avowed design junkie, and Rose Apodaca, a pop culture and style journalist and author. From sofas to stools, clocks to carafes, tables to lightning, A + R’s oeuvre is design that charms, functions and inspires. Need some style advice? A + R has a knowledgable team in-store and behind the scenes who will share their enthusiasm for design, bound by the pursuit of aesthetics and innovative ideas.
Launched in 2013, Hammer and Spear is a showroom and full service multidisciplinary interior design studio, with a team of interior designers, architects, and product designers. Located in a historic brick building in the heart of the Arts District, this dual-functioning environment lends itself to a creative atmosphere, which permeates both the retail and design settings. Founded by husband and wife Scott Jarrell and Kristan Cunningham, Hammer and Spear presents a sophisticated array of home furnishings, accessories, art objects, and lifestyle products.
The Good Liver is a modern day version of a general store that sets out to inform, inspire and ultimately suggest a better way of living through a conscientious collection of enduring, quality goods from around the world. Motivated by the simple things in life, The Good Liver strives to provide high quality, functional products with aesthetic appeal – the unification of design and quality! The store offers a carefully selected range of objects from international brands and makers, showcasing the history, philosophy and craftsmanship behind each of our items. Helpful staff share stories of the how and why behind each product’s creation, illustrating the thoughtful curation of The Good Liver and their dedication to the good life.
Since opening their doors in 2005, HD Buttercup has become a favorite resource for home furnishings and décor. Defined by bold and imaginative pieces from around the world, HD Buttercup has become the destination for distinctive collections, from sleek mid-century designs to vintage accent pieces. Eliminating the middleman, they work directly with factories and iconic designers to provide a wide variety of high quality, well-priced pieces. HD Buttercup By Appointment offers a bespoke personal shopping service in a friendly and intimate in-store environment. Whether you are refreshing your house or fitting out a new abode, their team has the styling skills and in-depth brand knowledge to help you find what you need, adapted to your individual style.
From its humble 19th century beginnings as Jean-Louis Vigne’s vineyard and later, an industrial center for railroads and manufacturing, the Arts District has evolved to become one of DTLA’s hottest neighborhoods. In the 1970s, artists in search of cheap studio space began to occupy the area’s dilapidated warehouses, opening art galleries, redeveloping old buildings, and preserving a big part of L.A.’s industrial history. Today, you’ll find it all – from hidden gems to eclectic stores, creative concepts, and high end retail – when you shop DTLA’s Arts District!
Alchemy Works is a lifestyle retail, gallery, and events space concept, highlighting designers and unique home wares, clothing and accessories, including the Warby Parker Glass House, where you can have custom eyeglasses fitted. They regularly host events, bringing a community feel to this sophisticated open-air design venue.
Dover Market, one of the most exclusive and highly regarded retail trendsetters in the global fashion scene, opened DSMLA, its Los Angeles flagship store, in 2018. Housed in a white 15,000 square-foot renovated warehouse, DSMLA is the latest art-meets-retail concept from the Commes des Garçons label. The interior is laced with a warren of arresting visual displays, art installations, chain link fencing, and galvanized metal, creating distinct sections for coveted brands like Gucci, Palace, noir kei ninomiya, Chanel Fine Jewelry, Mark Jacobs, and Commes des Garçons Women’s and Men’s.
Malin + Goetz 300 S Santa Fe Ave. Suite S Los Angeles 90012
This New York-based beauty line and apothecary features high-end products for various skin types, combining trusted natural ingredients with advanced technology to create uncomplicated luxury skincare and fragrance for the modern, design-conscious individual. Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, the products are suitable for all skin types and genders. They never test on animals and are always striving towards more sustainable formulation and packaging practices.
Shinola is a luxury design brand with an unwavering commitment to crafting products that are built to last – from timepieces to leather goods, jewelry and audio. Founded in 2011, the company operates an in-house watch and leather factory on the fifth floor of the historic Argonaut Building in Detroit, where a team of artisans hand assembles luxury timepieces and crafts premium leather straps. The Arts District store carries a variety of watches, leather bags and journals – you might even find a Shinola bike!
A mens clothing store for the 21st century adventurer. Hatchet Outdoor Supply offers contemporary and lifestyle apparel influenced by exploration, nature, and the outdoors. You’ll find everything from parkas, pants, boots and backpacks, to tents and and other outdoor gear. They even carry candles and cabin spray scents that bring the outdoors inside!
Since its founding in 1963, Hennessey + Ingalls has grown to become the largest art, architecture and design bookstore in the Western United States. In 2016, the store moved to its current location in DTLA’s booming Arts District. A landmark in the visual arts community, Hennessey + Ingalls counts many of the country’s leading architectural firms as clients, along with museums, collectors, art galleries, students, interior designers, graphic design firms, and schools. Even if you’re not an industry professional, it’s fun to browse the store’s in-depth selection of books, including art, art history, architecture, photography, interior design, graphic design, and landscaping.
Doing good is in the bag! In 2004, brothers Raan and Shea Parton founded Apolis with a simple idea – that business can create social change. This model is founded on the simple idea that people can live better lives when they are given equal access to the global marketplace. Their signature customizable market bags are sourced and manufactured with partners in Uganda, Peru, Bangladesh, and even around the corner in Los Angeles. These long–lasting, everyday items improve the lives of the people who make them, and help shape our world.
Where would the Arts District be without an art supply store? Welcome to the Artist & Craftsman Supply, an employee-owned company that has been providing artists with excellent materials at competitive prices since first opening in Yarmouth, Maine in 1985. The store carries a wide variety of supplies for all types of arts and crafts that are on average 15-20% off of the manufacturer’s suggested list price. Educators and student also qualify for 10% off their purchases. Any questions can be answered by the helpful, knowledgeable staff of artists.
Hue is a new, specially curated shopping experience that features the latest trends for women’s, men’s, kid’s, contemporary and high-end fashion brands from around the world, such as Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Bally, Repetto, Zadig & Voltaire, and Jonathan Adler. They focus on creating a space where people can enjoy the wide selection of brands in a chic, relaxed atmosphere.
We all love hearts & flowers. And we’ll never turn down a decadent box of chocolates or romantic dinner à deux. But since 2020 is leap year, why not take the plunge and try something different this Valentine’s Day! How about a wine tasting event with a breathtaking view of the city! Or a Valentine-themed cinema and dance party at one of LA’s spectacular historic theaters? On a budget – we’ve got you covered! Grand Park is presenting Lovers Rock, a free concert complete with mood lighting, curated music, and a moonlit walk throughout the park’s Olive Court. With or without an SO, you’ll have a great excuse to get out and party when Valentine’s Day Goes Eclectic!
LA Opera’s EurydiceDorothy Chandler Pavilion 135 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Through Feb 23 LA Opera presents the world premiere of Eurydice. In the Greek myth, she was a shadowy figure we barely knew. Let’s change that. Matthew Aucoin partners with playwright Sarah Ruhl for a new opera that reimagines ancient mythology for a modern age. This time, the tale unfolds from the heroine’s point of view. (Finally, right?) Tragically killed on her wedding day, a young bride descends into the underworld, where she reconnects with her adoring father. Presented with the opportunity to return to her husband in the world of the living, she must choose between the two men she loves.
Love on the VineSan Antonio Winery 737 Lamar St. Los Angeles, CA 90031
Celebrate a romantic Valentine’s Day at San Antonio Winery with a special three-course Prix Fixe menu. Bypass the Valentine’s Day dinner lines and you’ll be escorted directly to the dining area, where table service will be provided. Begin with a Champagne toast. Dinner includes a complimentary bottle of Maddalena Cabernet Sauvignon or Stella Rosa Red, your choice, to be enjoyed at your meal. One bottle per couple. Family-owned San Antonio Winery is the oldest winery in Downtown Los Angeles, a hidden gem and historical landmark operating in the same community where it was founded in 1917. Wine Enthusiast recently awarded Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery with the prestigious American Winery of the Year award.
Through Feb 16 Love is in the air this Valentine’s at Skyspace, with the perfect package to celebrate with your loved one! Your Love is in the Air General Admission Ticket includes 2 Rides on the Skyslide, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, a bottle of Champagne, and Viewfinder Brochure. Your bottle of champagne and strawberries can be picked up at the Skyspace Bar on the 69th floor. Pick up your Viewfinder Brochure at the Skyspace Box Office upon entry. Package is 21+
Be Wine TastingOUE Skyspace 633 W 5th St #840 Los Angeles, CA 90071
Feb 14 Calling couples and singles alike for a unique Valentine’s Day wine tasting experience! OUE Skyspace is presenting the Be Wine Valentine Tasting Event from 7pm-9pm. Sample 5 different wine varietals paired with delicious bites and breathtaking views. Hang around after the event and dance the night away at the Skyspace Nights after-party with Lani Love and Diall Jess (House, R&B House, Funk, and Disco music).
Lovers RockGrand Park 200 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Rooted in the reggae sounds of the 1970s and in Caribbean nightclubs in London, Lovers Rock is more than a music genre—it serves as a space of love, identity and resistance, fostering a nuanced intersection of gender and expression. Grand Park celebrates Lovers Rock and transforms the 12-acre urban oasis with mood lighting and curated music into the premier date spot for couples celebrating Valentine’s Day on a budget, or singles who just want to get out and party!. Angelenos can bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a romantic evening at tables for two around Grand Park’s iconic Arthur J. Will Memorial fountain followed by a moonlit walk throughout the park’s Olive Court amidst the historic views of Los Angeles City Hall. Guests will experience special music curated to enhance the park’s beautiful surroundings.
We’re quick to shower our significant others with gifts and treats on February 14, but the day prior was designed to celebrate other equally important relationships in our lives – our girlfriends! Galentine’s Day was the creation of the beloved fictional deputy director of Parks and Recreation in Pawnee, Indiana, Leslie Knope. So gather your gal pals and celebrate with a special brunch, spa day, or fabulous night out on the town!
Feb 14-16 SPRING/BREAK Art Show is an internationally recognized art fair that activates atypical spaces and challenges the traditional cultural landscape of the art market. The fair will showcase the area’s rich contemporary art culture, featuring exhibitions from 60 independent curators, artists, and gallerists. Entrance is down the Narrows Alley in Building 3.
Feb 14 La La Land While navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future. Event features a Valentine’s Photo Booth and specialty cocktails. Guests will be able to bring food from the Grand Central Market inside the Million Dollar Theatre or eat at one of the vendors inside the theater.
Feb 15 Bloody Valentine’s: The Silence of the Lambs A young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims. Live music by DJ Ivy. You may bring food from Grand Central Market into the theater!
Feb. 14 Cinespia presents The Wedding Singer Valentine’s Day Party, featuring live music, DJ dance party, 5 floors of bars, free photo booth, and a special screening of The Wedding Singer in one of LA’s most beautiful movie palaces.
Feb 15 Crush Valentine’s Day with a tasting festival celebrating wine, for friends and lovers alike! Sample a remarkable variety of wines from esteemed and emerging vineyards across California and the world. Join representatives from wineries to taste their current releases and learn about what makes their vintages special. This is a wine festival that’s all about the play and precision defining viticulture today, and an opportunity to have fun with tarot card readers, florists, jewelry vendors, and more! Food will be prepared by chefs from local restaurants while you enjoy music and the gift shop vendors. Cheers!
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Image courtesy of OUE Skyspace
Photo #2: Image courtesy of LA Opera
Photo #3: Image courtesy of San Antonio Winery
Photo #3: Image courtesy of LA Opera
Photo #4: Image courtesy of OUE Skyspace
Photo #5: Image courtesy of OUE Skyspace
Photo #6: Image courtesy of Grand Park
Photo #7: Image courtesy of National Today
Photo #8: Image courtesy of SPRING/BREAK Art Show
Photo #9: Image courtesy of Million Dollar Theatre
Photo #10: Image courtesy of Cinespia
Photo #11: Image courtesy of Crush Valentine’s Wine Festival
Let’s face it, sometimes you just want to sink your teeth into a big ole juicy burger! Living in downtown LA, you don’t have to travel far to wrap your chompers around some of the best hamburgers in town. From venerable icons like the Original Tommy’s and George’s Burger Stand, to sleek gastropubs, casual joints, and classic diners, you’re in for some mighty good eating! Meat not your thing? Many restaurants offer plant-based options, along with salads and veggie sides. We’ve found the beef – so get ready to bite into DTLA’s best burgers!
When Al Cassell opened Cassell’s Hamburgers in 1948, it became an instant icon in the LA lunch counter scene. Cassell’s DTLA stays true to the founder’s original principles of being a hamburger shop with a focus on premium beef, ground daily in house. Cassell’s uses many of the legacy recipes, but the menu has been expanded to classic milkshakes and malts, a 50s breakfast menu, coffee bar, house made pies, and a fully stocked bar.
We dare you to deny that you’ve never wended your way to Tommy’s Original World Famous Hamburger after an appetite-inducing night on the town! Open 24 hours, the Shack, as it’s affectionately known, is a favorite of the nocturnal crowd, especially after Dodgers games. Since 1946, the Original Tommy’s hamburger stand has been serving burgers, fries and hot dogs, topped with their signature chili, from a walk up window where the only dine-in option is a stainless steel countertop. While there are dozens of locations in California and Nevada (including imposters), Tommy’s Original World Famous Hamburgers on Beverly Boulevard in Westlake is the bomb. Not a night owl? Tommy’s serves breakfast, lunch dinner, and coffee.
Buddy’s DTLA 363 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Ready for some classic affordable diner-inspired grub? For the traditionalist, Buddy’s offers a mouthwatering cheeseburger (lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard and American cheese, served on a Martin’s potato roll) for just $7. For a vegetarian option, try the Impossible Burger – a classic cheeseburger made with Impossible™ plant-based patty, with lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard and American cheese on a Martin’s Potato Roll. Other items include the Chicken Parm Sandwich and the Hash Burger veggie patty (roasted cauliflower, mushroom, farro), caramelized onion, fried onion, American cheese). The default is vegetarian, but can be made vegan on request.
Located on Cesar E Chavez Ave, formally known as Brooklyn Ave, George’s Drive In was a place made for the simple things in life – burgers, pastrami, shakes and fries – serving the community since 1960. Under new ownership and management, this neighborhood staple has returned to its roots in the beautiful East Los Angeles community of Boyle Heights. Featuring a classic menu, similar to one that once graced 2311 Brooklyn Ave, “Georges Burger Stand” is officially back in business. Offering a menu that serves no frozen meats, they are proud to serve simple, fun, quality food at an affordable price.
LA Café strives to give you the freshest and best experience possible, using organic ingredients whenever possible, and all natural meats roasted in-house. Soups, sauces and salad dressings are all made from scratch. Vegan and gluten-free options are available as well. Please be advised that LA Cafe is not a vegan, vegetarian or gluten free establishment – all products are prepared and cooked in the same kitchen using same utensils and equipment.
Be prepared to check all formalities at the door when you enter Everson Royce. This lively bar offers a vast selection of hand crafted cocktails, beer and wine in their “Big Book of Spirits.” Patrons are encouraged to try their signature boilermaker, consisting of a beer and a shot, because “God gave you two hands for a reason.” To anchor all these righteous beverages, Everson provides a sticks-to-your-ribs menu featuring burgers, Kennebec French fries, corn dogs, smoky potato taquitos, and more.
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar serves modern American comfort food, along with unique cocktails and craft beers. Founded by Terry Heller in 2012, the Plan Check name and brand stems from its first location in West LA, adjacent to the Building and Safety Department, where hundreds of architects, developers, designers and engineers would flock daily to get plans reviewed for permitting. Plan Check Kitchen + Bar is the home of Ketchup Leather™. This innovative square of deliciousness makes the Plan Check signature burger unique – not only does it add great flavor, it also prevents the burger buns from getting soggy!
The Escondite ( The Hideout ) opened its doors in Los Angeles, CA in 2011. This hidden roadhouse has since then committed its efforts to create an environment for Downtown locals to eat, drink, and listen to free live music daily. They pride themselves on having deliciously scrumptious food, but at an affordable and reasonable price. There are no substitutions on the house created burgers. All burgers are served with a choice of 6oz beef patty, chicken breast, or vegetarian patty, as well as a choice of either fries or salad.
This welcoming gastropub features craft brews on tap, and hearty burgers and bar bites with an Asian twist. Sandwiched between the fancy Mignon Wine and Cheese Bar on one side and the venerable Cole’s on the other, this super casual joint could very well be the black sheep of the neighborhood – except for the lines that stretch down the street. Try the eponymous Black Sheep burger (gouda, caramelized onions, garlic aioli, a couple thick slabs of bacon, and some arugula to keep it fresh). If you’re not feeling the beef, you can swap in a veggie patty. Pair your burger with Black Sheep’s truffle or carne asada tater tots, or just go for some good old-fashioned French fries!
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Image courtesy of Original Tommy’s
Photo #2: Image courtesy of Cassell’s DTLA
Photo #3: Image courtesy of Original Tommy’s
Photo #4: Image courtesy of Buddy’s DTLA
Photo #5: Image courtesy of George’s Burger Stand
Photo #6: Image courtesy of LA Cafe
Photo #7: Image courtesy of Everson Royce Bar
Photo #8: Image courtesy of Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
LA’s Chinatown explodes in a fantasy of sights, sounds and colors during Chinese New Year – also known as Lunar New Year. This festive occasion is celebrated by more than 20% of the world, making it the most important holiday in China and for Chinese people all over the world. Chinese New Year has no set date because it follows the lunar cycle – in 2020, Chinese New Year officially began on January 25th and ends February 4th. The Chinese zodiac has 12 animals used to represent years, and 2020 is the Year of the Rat. The zodiac cycle repeats every 12 years, making it easy to figure out whether it’s your year – just check your age as a multiple of 12. Here are the 12 zodiac animals in order, with accompanying years. But no matter what your sign, you’ll always have a great time when you celebrate the Year of the Rat in DTLA’s Chinatown!
Feb 1 Noon – 8pm The 121st Annual Golden Dragon Parade is the oldest celebration of its kind in America. The parade will begin at the intersection of Hill Street and Ord Street. The Central Plaza Main Stage will have entertainment, and the festival features a craft and vintage market, LA gourmet food trucks, and a culinary corner. Please note that there will be street closures. Parade information and to purchase grandstand seats HERE
Feb 1 @10:30am. Visit a temple, an herbal shop, art galleries, antique stores, and more! The 1 1/2 hour walking tour will take you to a number of off-the-beaten-track points of interest and will guide those interested in shopping to some of Chinatown’s best bargains and its trendiest shops. Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to wind your way through a myriad of alleyways, plaza stalls, and classical courtyards to discover the charm of L.A’s Chinatown.
A real Chinatown icon, Phoenix Bakery has been creating delectable cakes and pastries since 1938. Founded by, and still operated by the Chan Family, the bakery serves families and celebrities alike for all occasions. Famous for their fresh strawberry whipped cream cake, Phoenix Bakery cakes have become a tradition across generations as families and friends celebrate special occasions from kids birthday parties to quincineras, retirement parties and more. If you’re just stopping by, try their yummy sugar butterflies and almond cookies – the perfect sweet bite for any day!
The original pearl milk tea – bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea-based drink invented in Taichung in the 1980s. Most bubble tea recipes contain a tea base, and flavors of milk and sugar. Toppings, known as “pearls,” such as chewy tapioca balls, popping boba, fruit jelly, grass jelly, agar jelly, sago and puddings are often added. Bubble U offers a sweet menu of fresh teas, smoothies, and specialties such as Iced Sea Salt with organic cream, Rose Matcha, Honey Ginger Tea, Iced Cucumber Green Tea, and Tiger Milk Tea, along with scrumptious desserts laced with little bubble balls.
Steep LA is a modern tea room located in the heart of DTLA’s Chinatown! Founders Samuel Wang and Lydia Lin come from different backgrounds, but share the same gratification through similar tea drinking experience with their families. After they both took a long hiatus from traditional Chinese tea drinking, the passion for tea slowly returned as they started to mature, and found the serenity of the tea ceremony to be exceptionally balancing for the fast-paced life in Los Angeles. Steep LA offers a simple menu focusing on the premium teas the founders handpicked from China and Taiwan that covers four tea categories: Black, Green, Oolong, and Pu-er.
A majordomo is a person who speaks, makes arrangements, or takes charge for another. In that spirit, the restaurant aims to go above and beyond for guests. Located on the northern outskirts of Chinatown, was founded by noted chef and restauranteur David Chang, with Jude Parra-Sickels serving as executive chef. With an ever-changing and evolving seasonal menu, Majordomo offers California cuisine inspired by the different food cultures present in Los Angeles and the bounty of Southern California products.
General Lee’s Cocktail Bar has served LA Chinatown since 1890. Hidden in a dark corner of Old Chinatown in Chinatown Central Plaza, this historic space once entertained the likes of Sammy Davis Jr., Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra, and Gary Cooper. Now a two-story “Modern Tiki” mashup, General Lee’s serves a creative menu of Asian-inflected cocktails with a twist, like wasabi-infused vermouth and black sesame syrup. The venue also features DJs and live entertainment.
Apotheke 1746 North Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Backed up against the LA River and the underpass that leads into Lincoln Heights, Apotheke exudes an air of mystery where speakeasy meets Absinthe bar. Once you’ve found the unmarked entrance on Doyers Street, make your way to the back bar, which holds rows of tinted pharmacist’s vials with hand-lettered Latin labels. In keeping with the apothecary theme, the cocktail menu is described as a “prescription list,” and offers categories based on healing properties rather than alcohol selection.
For lovers of authentic French wine and food, Oriel is a chic, comfortable wine bar styled to please even the most homesick Parisian. Located just far enough away from Chinatown’s main drag, Oriel might be a little hard to spot hidden beneath the Chinatown Gold Line Metro stop. But once inside, you’ll be charmed by the sleek black and rose interior, lush hanging plants, and soft pink neon lighting. Oriel offers a curated selection of French bottles and some 20 wines by the glass, along with a classic bistro menu featuring French onion soup, steak tartare, chicken liver mousse, steak frites. escargots, and gnocchi à la Parisienne. Bon appétit!
